Laparoscopic retrieval of a sewing needle from the liver: A case report

INTRODUCTION: Less than 1% of ingested foreign bodies will require surgical management. An uncommon complication of ingested foreign body is migration to the liver. We present a case of laparoscopic removal of an intrahepatic foreign body. PRESENTATION OF CASE: 32-year-old female presented with a four month history of epigastric abdominal pain following suspected foreign body ingestion. CT scan demonstrated a metallic object lying in the left lateral segment of the liver. The patient was brought to the operating room where the object was removed laparoscopically and was found to be a sewing needle. DISCUSSION: Hepatic foreign bodies are an uncommon entity and typically result from a transcutaneous or ingested (e.g., gastrointestinal) source. Symptoms are often vague and can develop remote from the time of ingestion. Surgical management is warranted for symptomatic intrahepatic foreign bodies. CONCLUSION: Laparoscopy is an effective surgical method for removal of intrahepatic foreign bodies in some cases.